Authenticating the contents of e-documents

Abstract

In sending email documents, a method for authenticating the email and attachment(s), is presented. The sender sends an original email, and attachment(s), to: the recipient(s), and an email copy, cc: to an authentication service. The authentication service encrypts the email and attachment(s); and returns the encrypted file to both the sender and the recipient(s). Either the sender or the recipients can return the encrypted file to the authentication service for unencryption and reproduction of the exact original email and attachment(s). Whoever returns the encrypted file for authentication will be notified that the file was either altered or the unencrypted contents (exact reproduction of original email and attachments) will be returned, via email. The sender and recipients require no additional software other than their existing email communication software running on a host electronics platform. The authentication service retains no data from the aforementioned process.

1 . A method of authenticating, via an authentication service, the contents of an document sent by an originator to at least one addressee, said method including the steps of: 
 (a) sending, via e-mail, said e-document to said addressee;    (b) sending, via e-mail, a copy of said e-document to said authentication service;    (c) encrypting said copy of said e-document;    (d) sending, via e-mail, said encrypted e-document to said addressee; and    (e) sending, via e-mail, said encrypted e-document to said originator.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during the steps of encrypting and sending by said authentication service, no copy of said e-document or said encrypted e-document is retained by said authentication service.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during the steps of encrypting and sending by said authentication service, no information on said e-document or said encrypted e-document is retained by said authentication service.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of saving said encrypted e-document by one or more of said originator and said addressee.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further including the steps of: 
 (a) sending, via e-mail, said encrypted e-document to said authentication service;    (b) decrypting said encrypted e-document by said authentication service; and    (c) sending, via e-mail, said decrypted document to said originator and said addressee.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further including the step of, prior to said decrypting, determining whether said encrypted e-document as received by said authentication service has been modified, and decrypting only said encrypted e-document if it has not been modified.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further including the step of notifying said originator and said address that said encrypted e-document as received by said authentication service has been modified and cannot be decrypted.